The Closet as Mirror: A Chakra Guide to Energy and Style

We've all been there. You open the closet intentionally decide to do a purge and before you know it, you're knee-deep in piles of clothes, shoes, accessories, and bags. At first, the mess feels overwhelming. But in the chaos of sorting and choosing, you start remembering the stories of each garment—where you wore it, who you were with, what you felt that day.

Some pieces spark joy. Others carry a weight you didn't even realize you were still holding.

When you enter your closet, you aren't just looking at rows or stacks of clothes and shoes—you're looking into a mirror. Not the kind that simply reflects your face, but one that reveals your story. Your closet quietly holds the truth of your choices, your moods, your seasons of change. Every hanger carries a chapter. Every shelf cradles a memory.

There's the blazer that made you feel invincible on the day you got the job. The dress that saw you through a celebration you'll never forget. The shoes you wore until the soles gave out because they felt like freedom. And then there are the things that have been waiting—still tagged, still unworn—silent witnesses to intentions you haven't yet stepped into and the guilt of buying without wearing; testimate to excess and waste you want to hide.

The Energy of What We Wear

Deciding what to keep and what to let go of isn't just about fashion—it's about energy. When I teach, offer Reiki, or guide wellness sessions with my clients, we often discover that our energetic "closet" isn't all that different from the one in our home.

We have items—beliefs, habits, emotions—that have been hanging around far too long. Some are too tight, restrictive, and suffocating, leaving no room for growth. Others are too big, shapeless, and heavy, not at all aligned with who we've become. But they stay. Taking up space and offering no return on investment. Energetically speaking, they're freeloaders.

The truth is, you can't welcome something new into your closet—or your life—without clearing out the old. The act of deciding what to keep, what to let go, and what to repurpose is the same work we do inside ourselves. It takes time, honesty, and courage.

In a way, stepping into your closet is like stepping into one of my favorite Dan Fogelberg songs, "Souvenirs"—wandering through objects from your past, each one stirring a memory, each one reminding you of who you've been. Only your souvenirs are made of fabric, leather, and thread. They hang quietly, yet they hum with stories. But their energy sings so much more about yourself.

Why We Hold On

We love our old clothes. Some still fit like safety blankets and some we think they still fit us. We remember who we were when we wore them. Sometimes, we're reluctant to let them go because they've become part of our identity. And just like with emotions or old beliefs, keeping everything "just in case" isn't healthy. It keeps us rooted in the past, even if we say we want to move forward.

Tossing everything isn't the answer either—that can be an act of impatience or avoidance. And running out to buy something new every time we feel a little restless? That's often a sign of inner dissatisfaction, an attempt to fill an energetic gap with material things.

It can be hard to let go because the garment isn't only fabric; it's memory. When you put something into a giveaway bag, the mind protests: "But what if I need it? What if it comes back into style?" or, "Didn't I feel so alive in it once?" That reluctance is human. We are wired to preserve continuity. We confuse letting go with losing the memory. Memory lives in the body and the heart, not only on the hanger or upon the shelf. You can release the old coat and still keep the story. You can shift your energy, overcome the knee-jerk response to fear, let go and create a truer and more aligned identity for yourself.

The Practice of Energetic Clearing

When you clean your closet, you're doing more than making space for new outfits—you're practicing energetic release. Clearing your closet is a small, tangible act of inner housekeeping. It's proof that you can look at what was and choose what will be.

The key is to look at each piece—just like you'd examine each belief, emotion, or memory—and ask:

• Does this fit who I am now?

• Does it feel supportive, joyful, or inspiring?

• Am I keeping it for love or for fear?

• Who am I when I wear this?

  
  

There's a particular courage in choosing to clear space. It's easier to buy another sweater when you feel restless than it is to look at what's already on the shelf. Shopping can become a bandage for restless energy: more stuff to hold the emptiness at bay. But clearing—actually clearing—creates the energetic room where something alive and new can arrive.

Making It a Ritual

If you want to make this practice more intentional, create a ritual around it: a quiet playlist, a donation bag labeled with intention, a cup of tea, a few moments of breathwork before you start. Or begin simply by pulling one thing you've been avoiding and asking, gently, "Do you fit me now?" That question is the doorway.

When you find yourself clutching a favorite piece because it "still fits the memory," try this: honor the memory aloud. Tell the story to yourself. Say thank you to the item for what it held for you. Then ask whether it still serves the life you want to live. If it doesn't, fold it with gratitude and let it go. You'll still carry the story—you'll simply not carry its weight.

The Reflection Continues

Your closet, like your energy field, is a reflection of your inner state. Treat both with care, intention, and honesty, and you'll find yourself walking into the day lighter, freer, and far more in alignment.

Your closet, like your chakras, shifts with the seasons of your life. The next time you slide open that door, notice not just what's there—but what it says about where you are, where you've been, and where you're ready to go.

When you stand in your closet, you're not just choosing what to wear. You're deciding which part of your story to step into today. You'll always have your souvenirs—the memories, the lessons, the people who shaped you. But you don't have to wear the same story every morning, especially if it no longer fits!

How to work with this information:

Cleaning out your closet intentionally or choosing what to wear each day reveals exactly which of your chakras might need attention. If you listen closely while you sort and consider, the items in your closet will tell you which parts of you need care.

Are you ready to listen to their messages? Are you willing to learn more? Can you let go of the stories hanging around to make room for new, more joyful and aligned narratives that fit you like a glove?

Like this blog, share it to a social media of your choice and tag @customdesignedwellness, and I'll send you a free, easy-to-understand quick guide on how to assess your energetic body the moment you walk into your closet!

Or email me Lauri@customdesignedwellness.com and I'll send it to you!

Reminder for the month of August, anyone subscribing to my newsletters, sharing a blog or podcast episode and tagging me or my show will be entered to win 50% off a one-hour session with me for anything we co-create for YOU!

Thank you for reading and namaste!

xo Lauri

©Lauri Stern - Custom Designed Wellness

Permissions: No part of my publications may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without prior consent from Custom Designed Wellness or Lauri Stern.

You must not:

• Publish material from this website without prior written consent.

• Sell or rent materials from this website.

• Reproduce, duplicate, download, create derivatives, copy, or otherwise exploit material on this website for any purpose.

• Redistribute any content from this website, including onto another website.

Requests for permission should be directed to lauri@customdesignedwellness.com